Peterson Unveils Slideout Entry Door on Excel

With a great deal of fanfare, Peterson Industries Inc., Smith Center, Kan., has introduced an entry door within a slideout in its high-end Excel Winslow fifth-wheel line — an innovation made possible by a set of locking exterior steps that fold up against the door.

The new door configuration debuted during a 15-minute live video Friday afternoon on the company’s website hosted by Peterson President Bryan Tillett, who termed the innovation an ”industry-first” and ”a game-changer.”

The coach made its debut at RV Sales, Moriarty, N.M., where the live Internet feed originated. To view the video click here.

”This really creates an open look — very, very open,” Tillett said during the video.

”This will change the floorplans that we have available in the very near future,” said Jill Conaway of Peterson’s human relations department, noting that the new door will be incorporated into other Excel floorplans.

The step-system was designed by Lippert Components Inc. representative Mike Nebel who lives in Smith Center and who owns the rights to the system, according to Conaway. Peterson does not have an exclusive on the slideout steps, she added.

The slideout entry door divides the dining area and the living room in the Excel Winslow 37SDF bath-and-a-half floorplan that retails for $93,750. The steps lock against the slideout when in the travel mode and also lock down in the setup mode so they can’t inadvertently raise up and lock people inside.

A second slideout entry-door floorplan in Peterson’s top-of-the line Excel Limited fifth-wheel will be available in the fall.